Procedures verified June 26, 2026
Judge Martha M. Pacold -- United States District Court, Northern District of Illinois
2325, Everett McKinley Dirksen United States Courthouse, 219 S. Dearborn St., Chicago, IL 60604
description
Motions decided on papers — no hearings held
warning
Key Traps — Where Counsel Gets Caught
- 1. Courtesy copies REQUIRED for filings totaling 25 or more pages (SJ motion + briefs + SOF + exhibits counted together). Deliver within 24 hours of filing to Room 2332A.
- 2. Confidentiality orders must use Model Confidentiality Order (LR 26.2) as the base. Show all changes by redline. Submit clean and redlined Word copies to proposed_order_pacold@ilnd.uscourts.gov.
- 3. Court will NOT enter protective orders permitting parties to file under seal by designation alone. Requires separate motion showing good cause.
- 4. Proposed orders not accepted for dispositive motions. Not required for routine motions (extensions).
- 5. Discovery motions: court often rules after argument without briefing. Show up prepared to argue.
Quick Reference
| Topic | Rule |
|---|---|
| Motion Days | No motion presentment. File the motion on the docket with 'agreed' or 'opposed' designation. If opposed, movant confers with opposing counsel and submits a joint proposed briefing schedule in the motion or by email to proposed_order_pacold@ilnd.uscourts.gov. Court enters briefing schedule or ruling on the docket and schedules hearing if needed. [Judge Pacold -- Motion Practice] |
| Motion Limit | 15 pages maximum per Local Rule 7.1. [Judge Pacold -- Motion Practice] |
| Reply Limit | Not separately specified; follow LR 7.1 default. |
| Chambers Copies | ✓ Required Courtesy copies required for: (1) all filings totaling 25 or more pages (SJ motion, briefs, statement of facts, and exhibits counted... [Judge Pacold -- Courtesy Copies] |
| Tentative Rulings | Not issued. N.D. Ill. does not use a tentative ruling system. |
| Remote Appearances | No published individual procedures. Check docket for case-specific instructions. |
| Discovery | Discovery disputes resolved by this judge. Court often rules on discovery motions after oral argument without requiring briefing. LR 37.2 face-to-face or telephonic conferral required before filing. |
Procedural Briefing by Motion Type
C.D. Cal. · Standing Orders
Procedural Requirements
Key Traps
Compare to Other C.D. Cal. Judges
Procedural facts only. Judges shown to illustrate variance in this district.
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Before You File
Motion Days & Times
No motion presentment. File the motion on the docket with 'agreed' or 'opposed' designation. If opposed, movant confers with opposing counsel and submits a joint proposed briefing schedule in the motion or by email to proposed_order_pacold@ilnd.uscourts.gov. Court enters briefing schedule or ruling on the docket and schedules hearing if needed. [Judge Pacold -- Motion Practice]
Notice Period
No notice of motion or presentment date required per General Order 21-0027.
Motion Page / Word Limit
15 pages maximum per Local Rule 7.1. [Judge Pacold -- Motion Practice]
Opposition Limit
15 pages maximum per Local Rule 7.1.
Reply Limit
Not separately specified; follow LR 7.1 default.
Font & Formatting
Per LR 5.2(e).
Footnote Policy
Not specified.
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At Filing
Chambers Copies
✓ Required
Courtesy copies required for: (1) all filings totaling 25 or more pages (SJ motion, briefs, statement of facts, and exhibits counted together); (2) proposed pretrial orders, motions in limine, and proposed jury instructions regardless of length; (3) filings with attachments or exhibits that are not clearly readable. Deliver to Courtroom Deputy in Room 2332A within 24 hours of filing. May be single- or double-sided. Criminal cases: courtesy copies of ex parte sealed motions must be delivered to Room 2332A no later than 24 hours after filing. [Judge Pacold -- Courtesy Copies]
Proposed Orders
Email Word format (not WordPerfect) to Proposed_Order_Pacold@ilnd.uscourts.gov. Subject line: (1) case number/name; (2) docket number of motion; (3) title of order. Serve on all parties. Do NOT file as attachment to motion. Not required for routine motions (extensions of time) or dispositive motions. [Judge Pacold -- Proposed Orders]
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Before the Hearing
Tentative Rulings
Not issued. N.D. Ill. does not use a tentative ruling system.
Prohibition / Ex Parte Contact Re Tentatives
N/A.
Oral Argument
Court rules on papers unless hearing is scheduled. Often hears discovery motions at argument without requiring briefing first.
Remote Appearances
No published individual procedures. Check docket for case-specific instructions.
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Background Rules
Chambers Contact
Contact Courtroom Deputy Lauren Knight for scheduling and procedural questions.
Discovery Referral
Discovery disputes resolved by this judge. Court often rules on discovery motions after oral argument without requiring briefing. LR 37.2 face-to-face or telephonic conferral required before filing.
Discovery Dispute Procedure No-presentment
LR 37.2 compliance required. Face-to-face or telephonic (correspondence ordinarily insufficient). Motion must state with specificity how LR 37.2 was satisfied. Court frequently rules after argument without additional briefing. [Judge Pacold -- Discovery Motions]
Ex Parte Applications
Not separately specified. Follow General Order procedures.
Settlement Notification
No published individual procedures.
Lead Counsel
Not specified.
Under Seal Filings
Confidentiality orders must use the Model Confidentiality Order (LR 26.2 Form) as the base. Proposed changes must be shown by redline. Submit both the redlined version and a clean Word copy to Proposed_Order_Pacold@ilnd.uscourts.gov. The court will NOT enter protective orders that by their terms permit parties to designate material for filing under seal by agreement; a separate showing of good cause is required.
Continuances & Calendar Conflicts
No published individual procedures.
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AI & Style Preferences
AI Disclosure Requirement
Not specified.
Additional Notes
No-presentment model per General Order 21-0027. File motions with agreed/opposed designation. Opposed motions require joint proposed briefing schedule. Proposed orders to Proposed_Order_Pacold@ilnd.uscourts.gov in Word format.
Sources & Currency
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Procedures verified June 26, 2026.
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